Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial y Social, FEDES

What Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial y Social, FEDES does

Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial y Social (FEDES) is a non-profit foundation domiciled in Loja, Ecuador, created in 2013 by Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) to serve as the university's community engagement, fundraising, and project execution arm. FEDES delivers programs through seven specialized units covering music education (SINFIN, modeled on Venezuela's National Orchestra System), business consulting (CIMA), heavy-machinery operator training (ESCOP), women's leadership and empowerment (EMANCIPADA), and entrepreneurship incubation (Prendho, ranked in the top 5 of university-affiliated incubators globally by UBI Global). The foundation also runs social initiatives including 'Una Navidad que abraza' (a solidarity campaign) and the 'Transformando Comunidades' contest, plus recurring cultural programming such as the international Festival SINFIN Armonía.

The foundation's stated reach is 90,000+ direct beneficiaries across all 24 provinces of Ecuador and program impact in seven Latin American countries (Ecuador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Colombia), with 41.2% of beneficiaries women. Its target segments include women and girls, children and youth (with an inclusive music program serving children with disabilities), rural and indigenous communities, entrepreneurs and small businesses, people with disabilities, and elderly and vulnerable adults served through MIES-FEDES agreements.

FEDES has no proprietary technology product; its core activities are program delivery, with technology use limited to operational and programmatic tools (online course delivery, social media, a blog, and a WhatsApp community). The organization operates with a small core team of approximately 11 members led by Executive Director Roberto Beltrán Zambrano. Revenue is a mix of charitable donations, project and consulting fees (including work for UTPL and government programs for MIES), training and capacity-building fees for corporate clients (60 in-company programs plus 113 online programs), event revenue from Festival SINFIN Armonía, and pass-through fundraising for UTPL research and academic projects. The foundation maintains privacy compliance under Ecuador's Ley Orgánica de Protección de Datos Personales.

Name

Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial y Social, FEDES

Legal name

Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial y Social

Website

https://fedes.ec

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FEDES is a non-profit foundation in Loja, Ecuador, affiliated with Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, delivering music education (SINFIN), women's empowerment (EMANCIPADA), business incubation (Prendho), and community development programs to 90,000+ beneficiaries across Ecuador and Latin America through government, academic, and private partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Social and Educational Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Assistance, Policy Lending & Capacity Building Programs (BPADACAN)

Keywords

• Community development programs
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Music education programs
• Women empowerment programs
• Entrepreneurship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Loja

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: FEDES raises funds through charitable donations from individuals and organizations to support its social programs, as evidenced by the 'Una Navidad que abraza' campaign collecting food, hygiene products, and monetary contributions for vulnerable populations in Quilanga.
2. Project and Consulting Fees: FEDES generates revenue through consultancy services and project execution, including prospective planning and accreditation projects for UTPL, as well as managing projects funded by government agencies such as MIES for elderly and disability care programs.
3. Training and Capacity-Building Programs: FEDES delivers 173 educational programs (60 in-company, 113 online) generating revenue from corporate clients and institutional partnerships for sustainability and skills training.
4. Event Revenue: Festival SINFIN Armonía generates revenue through participant registration fees ($20 for students, $30 for professionals, $20 for string competition).
5. Fundraising for UTPL: FEDES consolidates a financial base to support execution of strategic research projects, academic programs of UTPL, and collaborative projects, acting as the fundraising and administrative arm of the university.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

FEDES is a non-profit foundation affiliated with Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) that delivers social and educational programs through specialized units: SINFIN (music education), EMANCIPADA (women's empowerment), CIMA (business consulting), ESCOP (heavy machinery operator training), and Prendho (business incubation). It also runs social initiatives such as 'Una Navidad que abraza' (donation drives) and 'Concurso Transformando Comunidades' (community development contest).

Product overview

FEDES operates as a multi-faceted non-profit organization managing a portfolio of specialized units and social programs. The foundation functions as a platform with several distinct offerings: SINFIN (music education school), EMANCIPADA (women's empowerment program), CIMA (business consulting), ESCOP (heavy machinery operator training), and Prendho (business incubator). These are complemented by social initiatives including 'Una Navidad que abraza' and the 'Concurso Transformando Comunidades'. The offerings work together to address community development through music education, entrepreneurship support, professional training, and social impact programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Emancipada: Women's leadership and empowerment program by FEDES, focused on personal, professional and family development of women, promoting authentic and transformative leadership.
• Prendho
• Festival Armonía
• Una Navidad que Abraza
• Concurso Transformando Comunidades
• Programa de Atención Psicológica Gratuita

Products and services

• SINFIN (Sistema Integrado Filarmónico Infanto-Juvenil) A music education school teaching singing and interpretation of symphonic and Andean instruments for children, youth, and adults, modeled after Venezuela's National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras. Includes an Inclusive Musical Artistic Program serving children with special educational needs (Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, moderate hearing loss). Currently serves 184+ children.
• EMANCIPADA Women's empowerment initiative developing leadership skills and personal growth for women leaders, entrepreneurs, heads of household, professionals, homemakers, students, and athletes. Provides workshops on emotional intelligence, digital innovation, mindfulness, stress management, personal and business finances, and networking. Has trained 8,000+ women heads of household for productive sector integration.
• CIMA (Centro de Investigación y Mejoramiento Administrativo) Business consulting services unit providing prospective planning, strategic planning, and accreditation support for UTPL areas and external clients. Operates through inter-institutional agreements such as with GAD Provincial de Los Ríos to improve entrepreneurship.
• ESCOP (Escuela de Operadores Profesionales de Maquinaria Pesada) Professional heavy machinery operator training school providing certification programs and professional development. Recognized for good gender equity practices through the 'Mujeres Al Volante' initiative with NIRSA, Holcim, and ONU Mujeres. Has graduated 198 heavy machinery operators.
• Prendho UTPL Innovation and entrepreneurship incubator ranked in the top 5 of university-associated incubators globally by UBI Global. Supports startup incubation and acceleration, including ventures from Cotopaxi and other Ecuadorian regions.
• Una Navidad que abraza Social responsibility initiative providing donations of food, hygiene products, and economic contributions to support elderly and disabled persons in Quilanga. Operates in partnership with MIES.
• Festival SINFIN Armonía Annual international music festival featuring master classes, concerts, and competitions. The 2025 edition (June 9-13, Loja, Ecuador) includes international masters such as Maxwell Pardo (Venezuela), Minako Ito (Japan), and Fermín Salaberri (Spain). Registration fees: $20 students, $30 professionals, $20 for string competition.
• Concurso Transformando Comunidades Contest promoting citizen participation and social innovation among students and organizations to address community challenges through sustainable, self-financing proposals. Launched in 2022 with subsequent editions in 2025 targeting high school students.
• Programa de Atención Psicológica Gratuita Free psychological care program for people with limited economic resources who cannot access complete therapeutic programs. Operates in alliance with Fundación Dr. Vicente Rodríguez Witt.
• Corporate In-Company Training Programs Educational programs delivered directly within enterprise and organizational settings, adapted to the specific needs of each corporate client. 60 in-company programs have been delivered, focused primarily on sustainability topics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90,000+ direct beneficiaries across 24 Ecuadorian provinces
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship (founding relationship) and core.

• Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL)flagship (founding relationship)Strategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013FEDES was created and driven by UTPL as a non-profit foundation to support university projects, maintain community relations, and strengthen the university's service vocation. UTPL provides institutional infrastructure, academic resources, talent, and research capabilities. FEDES acts as UTPL's fundraising and project execution arm for community development initiatives.
• MIES (Ministerio de Inclusión Económica y Social)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDES operates under agreements with Ecuador's Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion to deliver home-based care services for elderly people and people with disabilities in Quilanga. MIES provides funding and regulatory framework while FEDES executes programs on the ground with trained technicians, therapists, and social promoters.
• GAD Provincial de Los RíoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDES signed an inter-institutional cooperation agreement with the Prefecture of Los Ríos through the CIMA UTPL project to improve entrepreneurship in the province.
• Plan Binacional de Desarrollo de la Región Fronteriza (Capítulo Ecuador)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDES formalized a cooperation agreement with Plan Binacional to develop cross-border projects in Ecuador's frontier regions, expanding FEDES' geographic reach.
• Fundación Dr. Vicente Rodríguez WittcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDES and the Dr. Vicente Rodríguez Witt Foundation signed an agreement to provide free psychological care services to people with limited economic resources who cannot access complete therapeutic programs.
• RedEAméricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDES is a member of RedEAmérica - Ecuador Node, a network that promotes the transformation of communities through business sector engagement in social investment and development.
• Prendho UTPL (Business Incubator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrendho is a business incubator affiliated with UTPL and FEDES, ranked in the top 5 of university-affiliated incubators globally by UBI Global. It provides incubation services for entrepreneurs, including those from Cotopaxi and other regions.
• NODO / QUOHUBcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFEDES partnered with NODO and QUOHUB to launch the 'Transformando Comunidades' competition (II edition), promoting citizen participation and community development proposals for safe, sustainable, and self-financing neighborhoods.
• Municipio de LojacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDES collaborates with the Municipality of Loja on various community development initiatives including the 'Transformando Comunidades' competition and the inauguration of smart bus stops in the city.
• Mesa de Emprendimiento de LojacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDES participates in the Entrepreneurship Table of Loja, a multi-stakeholder coordination body that drives entrepreneurial innovation and local economic development, including organizing business missions to Medellín, Colombia.
• Consorcio Café Mujer / Proyecto 'Mujer Amazónica'coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDES is part of the Café Mujer Consortium (with APEOSAE and Café Galleti) implementing the 'Mujer Amazónica' project, focused on empowering women in the coffee production value chain in the Amazon region.
• Escuela de Capacitación de Conductores Profesionales (ESCOP UTPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESCOP UTPL, a FEDES specialized unit, received recognition for good gender equity practices and has graduated 198 heavy machinery operators. Partners include NIRSA, Holcim, and ONU Mujeres for the 'Mujeres Al Volante' initiative promoting women's participation in non-traditional activities.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CARE Ecuador: CARE is a major international humanitarian NGO with an Ecuador country office focused on women's empowerment, education, and community development. Directly comparable to FEDES's EMANCIPADA program and multi-program foundation model, with broader geographic and financial resources.
• World Vision Ecuador: World Vision is a large international NGO operating child-focused sponsorship, education, and community development programs in Ecuador. Comparable to FEDES in targeting vulnerable populations including children and indigenous communities through community-based programs.
• Heifer International Ecuador: Heifer International operates poverty alleviation and sustainable agriculture programs in Ecuador. Comparable to FEDES in working with rural and indigenous communities (5,338 indigenous beneficiaries reported) and delivering training in entrepreneurship and sustainability.
• Ayuda en Acción (Ecuador): Ayuda en Acción is a Spanish-origin international NGO active in Ecuador focused on child welfare, education, and community development. Comparable to FEDES in delivering multi-sector social programs across Ecuadorian provinces with similar beneficiary demographics.

Direct peers

• TECHO: TECHO is a Latin American non-profit operating across 19 countries, focused on community development, volunteer mobilization, and poverty alleviation. Highly comparable to FEDES in mission (community-led development), multi-country LATAM footprint, and university-engaged volunteer model.
• Hogar de Cristo (Ecuador): Hogar de Cristo Ecuador is a faith-inspired foundation delivering social services to vulnerable populations including elderly, children, and people in poverty. Comparable to FEDES in operating model as a multi-program foundation delivering social services across Ecuador.

Emerging players

• Ashoka Latin America: Ashoka is a global network supporting social entrepreneurs and changemakers. Comparable to FEDES through its focus on social entrepreneurship and supporting mission-driven leaders, including overlap with FEDES's Prendho incubator and EMANCIPADA women's leadership development.

Regional players

• Fundación Cuidar Cuidándonos: Foundation focused on community development and social investment in Ecuador and Latin America. Comparable to FEDES as a smaller regional foundation delivering community development programs with similar multi-stakeholder partnership approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fdsloja
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fedesfundacion4033
• Facebookfacebook.com/FundacionFEDES
• Instagraminstagram.com/fedesloja
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fedes-ecuador

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial y Social, FEDES